Hotel Charlotte in Groveland is celebrating its 90th birthday with a special offer for military veterans.

On select dates through January, 90 vets and a guest will receive a free night on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel will provide the two best available rooms Nov. 1-3, 6-8, 13-17 and 20-22; Nov. 27-Dec. 15; and Jan. 3-5, 8-12 and 17-18.

The deal is valid for one night per veteran. Qualifying guests who want to bring their families also can deduct the two-person room price from the family-room price. Cancellation fees apply and full payment is required for no-shows.

Reservations are available only by phone at 209-962-6455.

Wine country deal

Harvest Inn in St. Helena is offering “A Very Merry Wine Country Holiday” package with quite a few samples.

Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, the package includes a one-night stay, tastings at two Harvest Inn preferred winery partners, breakfast and a welcome basket with a bottle of local wine, olive oil, snacks and Woodhouse chocolates.

Based on the Chris Van Allsburg book and movie, families take a one-hour, round-trip train ride from Carson City Eastgate Depot to a makeshift “North Pole.”

Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas on a ride that includes hot cocoa, cookies, caroling, a reading of the story, visits by characters from the book and a keepsake silver bell. Trips run Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18.

The cost is $34 general, $25 for ages 3 to 12 and free for toddlers and infants who sit on a parent’s lap.

Ann Tatko-Peterson is the digital content strategist for the Bay Area News Group, where she has traded in a lifetime of writing for a newfound love of numbers. Since 2000, she has worked for the Bay Area News Group as a sports writer, features writer, travel editor and digital features editor.

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